FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Tell me more about Lower Hutt Small Business Loans
Lower Hutt unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months, cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What makes how is the Unsecured Loan different from a traditional business loan?
It is possible to apply for the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes online or by phone. You will receive an instant response and the money could be in your account in 24 hours. Traditional business loans refer to an interest rate per annum plus other fees and charges. The business loan is a pre-paid loan therefore you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount to be paid, including any fees, interest or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What can you use the Small Business Loan be used for?
It is a Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost any company use, including control of cash flow company renovations, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available for personal reasons.
About larger Lower Hutt Business Loans
What is the Larger Lower Hutt Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term up to 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5 percent of the amount of the loan.
Can I get the Larger Business Loan?
To qualify for a loan of this size, your business needs to have been trading for at least 3 years and generate an annual revenue of $700K. Your business must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old or have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at the least 12 months of operating.
What can the funding be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost all business purpose including business remodeling, buying equipment or inventory, as general working capital and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal reasons.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. It is usually by way of charge against assets and can include registering this through the PPSR or registering as a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is general in nature, rather than stipulating security over an asset. The person who signs the ensure is personally accountable if the business creditor is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online registry run by the New Zealand Government. It records security interests that have been that are registered for personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR grants preference over private property granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
An affidavit is an official document lodged to offer the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval that does not require Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan of more than $250K it is possible to offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We may be able to apply for this without a credit check and within 6 hours of the initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. It is not an offer of credit or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must demonstrate at minimum 6 months of trading (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application in few minutes and a dedicated company lending specialist will call you to help you.
To apply for up $100,000 you’ll require the right identification documents (valid Driver’s License) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months of bank statements.
Otherwise, for larger loan sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit approval, 6-12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details for application including credit consent, 12 months of bank statements, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim current financial year financials including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K and up) we usually provide an answer within an hour – as long as you submit your request during quality business timings and you allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll provide an answer within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K up to $500,000) we may be in a position to offer you with pre-approval conditional to your application within six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait between 2 and 3 days for the final approval. However, this may be quicker depending upon the circumstances for each application. Certain agreements have been approved in 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours, and let us use the advanced bank verification system link to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank statement, it will take a little longer.
How soon will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within an hour – provided you submit your request during normal business times and allow us to use the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to upload copies of your banking statements, we are able to offer a decision in as little as one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we might be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval, the turnaround time is approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use the sophisticated bank verification link to verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload documents from your account statement, it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans that range from $5,000 to $500,000. If you apply for a certain amount, we will consider a number of aspects for determining your well-being of your company and the level of payments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will depend on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you make an application for a set amount, we look at a range of aspects to determine how much we can lend you such as health for your company and the level of repayments your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from your loan will be determined by the particulars for your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for an company loan?
If you decide to make an application for the company loans, we’ll assess the risk assessment for your company and offer an individualised offer including the loan amount, the terms and interest rates. The business loan is an upfront priced loan which means you be aware of the total amount you will have to pay, including interest rates, fees or charges.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Interest rates for company loans rates depend on several factors including the amount that is borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase as well as the field the business is in, how long the business has been in operation and what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and general health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the fees?
There are no hidden fees with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much you be required to pay and when, from the very first day. There’s no compounding interest and no additional fees (as long as you make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You are able to apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with establishing and managing the loan. You are only charged this fee if you proceed with the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back all of your loan in full at any time.
If you do decide to take this route, please talk to one of our helpful business credit professionals. We will offer you with repayment details and an early payment figure. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout and 1.5% of the remaining principal as well as any outstanding fees.
How do you make repayments work?
To make sure that you don’t miss repayments and to fit in with your cash flow routine, we offer repayments either daily or weekly. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect information, use it, and exchange it, as well as secure your information, is crucial and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive as well as financial data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our customers as well as their security. We use an advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide a fast response.
About business loans
What is asset-based borrowing (a secured loan)?
An asset-based loan is when the business owner makes use of an asset that they own to get a loan. The asset could be an asset belonging to the personal, like the family home, or it could be a business property like a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of lenders, not just the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against assets. If you’re having trouble paying back the loan then the asset might be sold by the lender. In essence, it’s means of securing new financing by using the value of what you already have.
Are I need security to secure a company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, the requirement for asset security is not required upfront to access the money however, we do require a personal guarantee. So long as you comply with your loan commitments (as stated in your loan contract document) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150,000 generally, there is personal ensure and security is provided in the form of the charge of assets.